[Federal Register: November 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 216)]
[Notices]               
[Page 61120-61121]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no99-88]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Warren, RI in the Possession of 
the Charles Whipple Greene Museum, George Hail Library, Warren, RI

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the

[[Page 61121]]

completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the possession of the Charles Whipple Greene Museum, George 
Hail Library, Warren, RI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Charles 
Whipple Greene Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island; the 
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe 
of Gay Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian 
group), and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally 
recognized Indian group). Consultation was also conducted with the 
Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized 
Indian group).
    In 1914, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Burr's Hill, Warren, RI by Charles R. Carr, director of the George 
Hail Library, Warren, RI. These human remains were placed within the 
Charles Whipple Greene Museum within the Library. No known individual 
was identified. The 90 associated funerary objects include pipes, metal 
work, bottles, wampum, and beads.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, this individual has been 
identified as Native American. Burr's Hill is believed to be located on 
the southern border of Sowams, a Wampanoag village. Sowams is 
identified in historical documents of the 16th and 17th centuries as a 
Wampanoag village, and was ceded to the English in 1653 by Massasoit 
and his eldest son Wamsutta (Alexander). Based on the associated 
funerary objects, tese human remains have been dated to the contact 
period (1500-1690 A.D.).
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Charles 
Whipple Greene Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Charles 
Whipple Greene Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 90 objects listed above are reasonably believed to 
have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of 
death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials 
of the Charles Whipple Greene Museum have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which 
can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains 
and associated funerary objects and the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, the 
Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), and the 
Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian 
group).
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay 
Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), 
and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally 
recognized Indian group). Representatives of any other Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Sarah Weed, 
Director, George Hail Library, 530 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885; 
telephone: (401) 245-7686 before December 9, 1999. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay 
Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), 
and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognizd 
Indian group) may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: October 25, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-29340 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am]
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